Notes for DICTATOR V2

CIV2 MULTI PLAYER GOLD SCENARIO. 
By Curt Sibling. 2003.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DICTATOR V2; Foreword by the Enemy Ace(tm).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
War! What is it good for? - Civ2 - that is what! 

I have been working on a new incarnation of Dictator2 MGE. 
It has been in the works since about halfway through the last effort, Soviet Steel.

It is almost complete, and final cosmetics are underway!
Here is a rambling treatise of things to be expected in this new version!

It has many things in it that make it slightly different from your usual WW2 scenario.
I wished to explore some concepts that had interested me for a while. Such as:

1. The historical building of units - It would be nice to build the Me262 or JS2 earlier.
2. Historical conquests - Would you like to have the full authority to send your nation into war? 
3. Critical battles - How to have the choice for Japan to fight USA - or not, similarly with Germany and the USSR. 
4. Should Pearl Harbour and Barbarossa be foregone and unavoidable? 
5. If Germany had been governed differently, the jets and super weapons may have been built earlier, A scenario that gives you this option would be fun.
6. As America, you should have the choice of assisting in the war, or ignoring it.
7. As Soviet Russia, wouldnt it be fun to have a purge of your useless generals?
8. As Japan, you could concentrate on building that Asian empire, without dragging that big western superpower into the offing.
9. As the UK, you should be able to decide when to strike back at Germany.
10. How about Germany and the USA racing to develop the atom bomb?

Well I think a dictator should have more power!

This is the ethos behind Dictator V2.
Its a logical mix between the historic and open season version I used to make of ToT Dictator.
With a helping of Soviet Steel elements flung in - to make it a little more nasty.
I feel you should have more control over your empires destiny, not just being bestowed techs and units.
You are the LEADER, you should decide when a major event happens, now that is possible.
Via research you can now attack other super-nations, but the time taken to research is represented as conquest preparation.

Some empires are still the victims, some are still the aggressors, but now Russia will have little warning when the Reich will attack, or likewise with the USA and Japan.
You might have more time to build up forces, making the resultant war more fun.
It could go many ways...

I am happy to say the AI uses the new system well, and fights like it means it.

Also, regular units like Shermans and Sturmoviks can be brought to battle by researching their components.
And when they arrive on the field is up to you...
Do you want the Tiger Tank? Then give it the Research Priority!
This is what real leaders in WW2 decided, and I feel the player should have full power over the war machine.

In SP, also available are techs that add flavour to certain powers:

1. Russia can improve its army/airforce by ordering a mass liquidation of officers.
2. Germany can give the secret weapons full priority, but must weigh this with things like the need for heavy tanks and the Reichs slower production.
3. America can help the UK by remote. Or go ahead and add its power to the war.
4. Japan can ignore the USA until the time is right. And continue to conquer China. 
5. Britain can hold firm and prioritise ground attack planes and extra heavy bombers.

I forgot to say, no trade units, so no easy path to a jet fighter! So get studying!

And around all this a huge war is raging.
The conditions for victory are still there, for Axis and Allied forces, but now a bit trickier.
The unit strengths have taken many hints from Soviet Steel. Leading to some nerve-wracking battles.
Units are now a lot more expensive for some empires, so wasting them will make you suffer.

Other city options are now open to the player and AI.
Each power has some dedicated wonders and improvements that are a big help.
Improvements are geared to a power and add flavour and benefits.
Some improvements are rather expensive, and again, you must weigh the benefits with your strategic situation...
I wont tell them all, but here are a few:
Germany - Secret Weapons Complex
Germany - Wehrmacht recruitment
Russia - Politbureau
Russia - Gulag
Britain - Royal Navy Base
Britain - Aircraft Factory

And many more!

Also the full range of naval might is for all powers, the challenge is devoting resources to building a navy.
Germany had a meagre navy in WW2, because of conflicting production priorities, perhaps you would wish to change this?
That is the crux of Dictator V2 - If you want to change history - you can!

Another thing I wanted to represent, and one of the hardest to simulate, is the hanging in the balance feeling of WW2.
The battle for the planets future...And the ascension of power that a major victory would bring...
Many cities are critical (London, Moscow, West and East Stalingrad) and their capture will change the balance.
Major cities have major wonders in them, and will ruin the empire that loses them.
Dont expect an easy victory, as there are no uber-units in this scenario, and no-man or machine is un-killable.
All empires have late-game hardcore units, and all empires are balanced, I would say.
If you wish to bring a heavy hitter to bear early, then do the research.

Skilled players may do well, but the enemy will give you a tough time. 
I doubt you will own Moscow or London on turn two. These capitals are well defended.

For PBEM games it is easy to convert this scenario, merely by removing the negotiation flag from events.txt, empires can talk.
I have made it as flexible as possible.

All the old favourite empires are ready for play:
Germany - USA - USSR - Japanese Empire and the British Commonwealth.
The two minor powers (Eastern Allies and Neutrals) are not strictly meant for play.
But I wont stop you from playing them if you wish, as it can be fun! 
You can play them if you wish to have a relaxing (neutrals) or taxing (eastern allies) game of watching the big boys slug it out.

No more easy government control for the Axis either, their life was too comfortable in previous versions.
They can now have civil disorder, representing people being a bit ticked off at evil occupation.

Neutrals and eastern allies have fundy governments though to make them easy to use as observer empires...
The minors power also now do not use up space with their own pitiful armies.
Minor powers do not produce troops, and only research meagre and future techs.
Leaving the unit allocation to the big boys! And no more unit traffic jams on the map either! 

I am quite happy with the way the scenario works, and am happy with its pretty looks,
And that is thanks to many mega-artists whose work is a part of DV2. Take a bow, chaps!

All in all, the game is mix of building, terra-forming, fighting and cunning research choices.
The decisions you make at one point, will haunt you or reward you later. Be wise!

The AI shows no mercy. Return the favour!



Any comments, questions, gifts of free money, please contact the Ace at: 

curtsibling@ntlworld.com

http://www.cdgroup.org/forums/tbs/civ2/
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current Dictator V2 features;
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As always - New events, rules and sounds.

And - New extra units and graphics.

All sides are playable and suitable for MP battles.

Axis and Allies are always financially secure.

High cost and unit attrition is such that the 'too many units' limit is not a problem.

Allies are aggressive...The UK Russia and USA really battle for victory!

Japan and the Third Reich are now more balanced. No easy triumph!

New unit sheilds for all national and generic units.

Allies frequently strike and sieze cities!

Many frantic and lethal battles!

Please enjoy this lovely war!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dictator II MGE; Units
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THIRD GERMAN REICH
The military masters of 1940, the well-trained Reich forces are formidable.
During play, you may encounter any of these German units:

Wehrmacht (Good Quality Infantry)
Fallschirmjger (Elite Airborne Division)
Waffen SS (Elite Quality Infantry)
Panzergrenadiers (Good Armoured Infantry)
Panzerkampfwagen IV (Good Medium Tank)
Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger (Good Heavy Tank)
Panzerkampfwagen V Panther (Superb Medium Tank)
Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger II (Good Heavy Tank)
88mm Field Gun (Good Artillery unit)
Messerschmitt 109 (Great Piston Engine Fighter)
Messerschmitt 163 (Good Rocket Fighter)
Messerschmitt 262 (Superb Jet Powered Fighter)
Junkers 87 Stuka (Good Attack Dive Bomber)
V2 Ballistic Missile (Powerful Missile)
Type XXI U-Boat (Powerful Submarine)


IMPERIAL JAPAN
The Empire of Japan has great strength, but relies on long-range weapons.
During play, you may encounter any of these Japanese units:

Imperial Marines (Good Quality Naval Infantry)
Type 97 Chi-Ha Tank (Good Light Tank)
Type 3 Chi-Nu Tank (Good Medium Tank)
A6M2 Zero (Good Piston Engine Fighter)
Ki-100 Tony (Superb Piston Engine Fighter)
Aichi D3A Val (Good Attack Dive Bomber)


UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
The arsenal of democracy, America's units are reliable and inexhaustible!
During play, you may encounter any of these American units:

GI Infantry (Good Quality Infantry)
US Marines (Good Quality Naval Infantry)
M4 Sherman (Good Medium Tank)
M26 Pershing (Good Heavy Tank)
155mm Howitzer (Superb Artillery unit)
P38 Lightning (Great Piston Engine Fighter)
P51 Mustang (Superb Piston Engine Fighter)
B17 Flying Fortress (Good Heavy Strategic Bomber)


GREAT BRITAIN
The military of a great empire, Britain's colonial forces are varied but battle-ready.
During play, you may encounter any of these British units:

British Infantry (Good Quality Infantry)
Commandos (Elite Quality Infantry)
Matilda MkII Tank (Decent Medium Tank)
Churchill Tank (Good Medium Tank)
Supermarine Spitfire (Superb Piston Engine Fighter)
Hawker Typhoon (Superb Piston Engine Fighter)
Lancaster Bomber (Superb Heavy Bomber)


SOVIET RUSSIA
The Soviet Union has near-limitless manpower, and has many solid, no-nonsense weapons.
During play, you may encounter any of these Russian units:

Red Army (Good Quality Infantry)
Elite Guard (Superb Quality Infantry)
T-34 Tank (Superb Medium Tank) 
Josef Stalin Tank (Good Heavy Tank)
Katyusha Rocket Artillery (Superb Artillery unit)
I-16 Polikarpov (Decent Piston Engine Fighter)
Yak Fighter (Superb Piston Engine Fighter)
Stormovik (Good light Bomber)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Curt Sibling, (Enemy Ace)
June 2003.
